MC 401 Exam 2 Flashcards
Actual Malice Standard
Must prove knowledge or falsity or reckless disregard for the truth
Knowledge of Falsity
- One who published the statement knew that it wasn’t completely true
- The person changed the information to do harm
Reckless Disregard for the Truth
Publisher was aware the information is most likely false, serious doubts about publication, but one who published avoided the truth
Factors for “Reckless Disregard for the Truth”
- Timeliness: was the news urgent or could the defendant have fact checked?
- Source Credibility: Should the reported have trusted the sources used or trusted the reporter?
- Story Probability: Was the story believable or probable or was it so unlikely that most people would’ve had to fact check?
Public Officials
- Government employee with substantial government responsibility
- Anyone appointed to gov jobs in a libel action depending on situation
Public Officials (Example)
- President Trump
- Mayor Walt Maddox (Tuscaloosa)
- School superintendents who is falsely accused of stealing money
– only considered PO in libel suit bc she has control; over school district - City manager who has control over public affairs
NY Times v. Sullivan (1964)
- Case that determined public officials must prove actual malice
LB Sullivan sued NY Times for publishing an ad that contained allegations of police wrongdoing
- LB said ad libeled him and he won
- This case had factual error, not actual malice
Can a public official win a libel action based solely on “test of truth”?
No
Public Figures
Have a wide spread of notoriety fame
- Business/corporations can also sue for libel & be classified as this based on status/influence
Voluntary Limited Purpose Public Figures
Involves themselves in public controversy
Voluntary Limited Purpose Public Figures (Example)
Richard Jewell
- Tried to sue media that made him look responsible for bombing
–He is not public figure
- Lost the suit bc he could not prove his innocence
Cases that determined public figures must prove actual malice:
- Curtis Publishing Co v. Butts (1967)
- Gertz v. Robert Welch Inc (1974)
Curtis Publishing Co v. Butts (1967)
- Bear Bryant & Georgia coach Wally Butts conspired to fix the outcome of the 1962 in Bama’s favor
- Wally sued Curtis Publishing for libel
- Wally wins bc he is a well known public figure
News Organizations
Not protected against libel claims made by public figures if they are false
Gertz v. Robert Welch Inc (1974)
- American Opinion Magazine printed false statements about Elmer Gertz, who was representing a family of a boy killed by police officer
- Gertz was not penalized bc he was doing his job
– Argues he was private person bc he did not approach to away opinion of press - Gertz was not supposed to prove actual malice as private person
– Not public official/figure, so he has more protection from libel in the public eye